Rehman assures probe into NATO's attack inside Pak territory

ISLAMABAD Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday terming the recent air strikes by Afghanistan-based NATO helicopters inside Pakistan an attack on the sovereignty of the country assured the Upper House that Afghan Ambassador would be summoned to give explanation in that regard. He was responding to a pinot of order raised by Senator Zafar Ali Shah of PML-N amid exchange of allegations between MQM and ANP Senators holding each other responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation and incidents of target killing in Karachi. The Interior Minister also responded to some other queries of the legislators. The Minister said that he learnt about the news of NATO helicopters attack, which killed more than thirty people inside Pakistan through media and had already directed Interior Secretary to get details about the incident very soon. The Minister, however, termed the issue came under the domain of Foreign Ministry. He, at the same time, assured the house that an explanation would be sought from the Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Defence as well, besides, summoning Afghanistan Ambassador. Rehman Malik while answering the queries of Senators Dr Abdul Malik, Shahid Bugti and Sabir Baloch about the arrest of some persons in their respective provinces said that basically these were provincial matters adding that he would talk with the provincial authorities. He also told the house that no operation in Balochistan was being launched on the pattern of Swat and Malakand, however, he added that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi was a terrorist organisation and action would be taken where it was found operative. He also informed that the Federal Government had already delegated the powers of the FC deputed in Balochistan to the Chief Ministers of the province, so that quick action would be taken against the insurgents. Earlier, the house started its debate on the adjournment motion of Senator Tariq Azeem of PML-Q. Senator Abdul Nabi Bangesh of ANP while participating in the debate on law and order situation in the country in general and on target killings in Karachi in particular held responsible, between the lines, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for the target killings in the metropolitan. Bangesh remarked that the top law enforcement as well as intelligence agencies of the government in its report had disclosed that a political party in Karachi was operating a death squad but no action was taken against it. He also criticised involvement of the Interior Minister, Rehamn Malik into the affairs of Sindh government saying the provincial Home Minister, Zulfiqar Mirza and Rehman Malik had divergent view points on the incidents of target killing in Karachi. In the same breath, he said that Zulfiqar Mirza understood the matter best as he stayed in Karachi. He regretted that Pakhtuns were being targeted and being killed in Karachi while Sindhis, Balochis, Punjabis and Pakhtuns were also being forced to leave the city. Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Babar Ghouri while speaking on the situation alleged that ANP claimed to fight against Taliban in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but at the same time promoting Talibanization in Karachi. He warned ANP not to be hypocrite and said that it was not a time of playing politics of hatred but of love. He asked who would sell weapons and who did politics of weapons. He said that everyone knew answers to those questions. Ghouri said that his party also wanted a thorough probe into the incidents of violence and target killings in Karachi. As many as 6 other legislators also spoke on the issue before the house was adjourned to meet again at 10:30 am today (Tuesday).